inveterate

[ in-vet-er-it ]

/ ɪnˈvɛt ər ɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inveterate ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like: an inveterate gambler.

firmly established by long continuance, as a disease, habit, practice, feeling, etc.; chronic.

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Nearby words

Origin of inveterate

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin inveterātus (past participle of inveterāre to grow old, allow to grow old, preserve), equivalent to in- in-² + veter- (stem of vetus) old + -ātus -ate¹; cf. veteran

SYNONYMS FOR inveterate

1. hardened, constant, habitual. 2. set, fixed, rooted.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR inveterate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsin·vet·er·ate·ly, adverbin·vet·er·ate·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inveterate

The most ridiculous character in Pay Any Price may be Dennis Montgomery, who is described as an inveterate gambler and swindler.
Speed Read: James Risen Indicts The War On Terror’s Costly Follies|William O’Connor|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An inveterate networker, he managed to get Tennessee Williams as the chief signatory on one letter-writing campaign.
Sean Strub: Sex, AIDS, Politics and Survival|Tim Teeman|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This inveterate list maker also loved minutiae; in his copious account books, he kept track of every cent he ever spent.
Companies Discover Untapped Brainpower: Autistics|Joshua Kendall|July 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It gives the best outcomes to the most inveterate bad actors.
Argentina Goes to Court (Again)|Megan McArdle|February 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Pouw insists that this anecdote is nothing more than “film-noir fantasy” and that Scarff is a “self-admitted inveterate liar.”
Scientology vs. Lawrence Wright|Caitlin Dickson|January 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I must tell you all about it,' returned Mollie garrulously, for she was an inveterate chatterbox.
Lover or Friend|Rosa Nouchette Carey
I have much news for you, my dear Edward, which only my inveterate habit of procrastination has caused to be left till now.
The Honour of the Clintons|Archibald Marshall
The prejudices of the West Indians on these points were numerous and inveterate.
The History of the Rise, Progress and Accomplishment of the|Thomas Clarkson
An inveterate poker player, he got into a game in Springfield with big players and for high stakes.
An Autobiography of Buffalo Bill (Colonel W. F. Cody)|Buffalo Bill (William Frederick Cody)
He shuddered and shrank back, overcome by the inveterate, ungovernable horror.
The Creators|May Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for inveterate

inveterate

/ (ɪnˈvɛtərɪt) /

adjective

long established, esp so as to be deep-rooted or ingrainedan inveterate feeling of hostility

(prenominal) settled or confirmed in a habit or practice, esp a bad one; hardenedan inveterate smoker

obsolete full of hatred; hostile

Derived Formsinveteracy or inveterateness, nouninveterately, adverb

Word Origin for inveterate

C16: from Latin inveterātus of long standing, from inveterāre to make old, from in- ² + vetus old

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inveterate

inveterate

adj.

late 14c., from Latin inveteratus "of long standing, chronic," past participle of inveterare "become old in," from in- "in, into" (see in- (2)) + veterare "to make old," from vetus (genitive veteris) "old" (see veteran).

Medicine definitions for inveterate

inveterate

[ ĭn-vĕt′ər-ĭt ]

adj.

Firmly and long established; deep-rooted.

Persisting in an ingrained habit; habitual.

Related formsin•vet′er•a•cy (-ər-ə-sē) n.